Student loan rate hikes explained

Tuition at public schools: With education costs going up and student aid and grants not keeping up, students at many public institutions can expect to pay more in tuition and fees this year.

You're probably used to paying a fee when you need to wire money to someone else. But some banks even charge you to receive money.

Given the recent restrictions placed on fees and interest rates, the nation's banks are looking for extra pennies anywhere they can get them.

11 - Percentage of people surveyed who said their savings took a hit because they were paying for their kid's education.

A proposal backed by Republicans and President Barack Obama would lock interest rates on all federal education lending to the 10-year Treasury note, the market rate the U.S. government pays when it borrows. In recent days, that rate has floated slightly around 2.5 percent.

However, Obama and the Republicans disagree whether those loans rates would be fixed during the life of the loan or if they should follow the market.

Some experts suggest Washington should just freeze rates at their current 3.4 percent level for a year or two and use the time to plan an expansive overhaul of the whole student loan system.

If you need to verify a previous charge or deposit, be prepared to fork over some money.

U.S. News & World Report has released its annual list of the best U.S. colleges for 2015. Here are the Top 20 national universities, defined as those which offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs:

Some banks and private lenders claim their rates are lower than those of unsubsidized Stafford loans offered by the federal government. You can find and compare them on sites such as SimpleTuition (www.simpletuition.com). Be wary, these loans usually require a co-signer and may have variably interest rates.

Take a look at top 20 best-paying companies for interns from lowest to highest, as compiled by Glassdoor, a jobs-posting website.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.